Music
The Department of Music
The department is located behind the John Caden Hall in recently refurbished accommodation. There are three music teaching rooms, equipped with keyboards, percussion instruments and various other pieces of musical equipment. Our specialist Music Technology facility features twelve workstations utilising very up to date technology and software for music production and composition. Students can also take advantage of two practice rooms, each equipped with a piano, for individual rehearsal during the day and out of hours.
Instrumental Lessons
Instrumental Lessons are currently delivered by the Durham County Music Service, and our instrumental teachers work part time in the school to deliver high quality learning. Questions regarding instrumental lessons should in the first instance be to the Director of Music, who can be contacted by email at sgibson@carmel.org.uk
Extra-Curricular Music
There is a vast amount of extra-curricular opportunities available to students at Carmel in Music, and although the following list is not exhaustive and changes regularly, this will give you an idea of what is going on at the moment:
Orchestra |
Brass Group |
Samba Band |
Junior Choir |
Woodwind Group |
Music Theory |
| Senior Choir |
Folk Group |
|
String Group |
Boys Group |
|
| Chamber Choir |
Barbershop Quartet |
Key Stage 3
All students in Years 7, 8 and 9 receive one hour per week of Music with a specialist teacher in our modern music facilities. Each unit of work lasts for either half a term or for a full term, depending on the nature of the unit.
Year 7 Elements of Music & Graphic Scores
Form and Structure
Keyboard Skills
Musical Arrangements
Year 8 Jazz Improvisations
Theme and Variations
Chinese New Year project
Hooks and Riffs and Ostinatos
Year 9 Twelve Bar Blues
GCSE Taster
Song Writing
Film Music
Music and Media
Key Stage 4
At Key Stage 4 students have the option of continuing their musical studies to GCSE level with the department. We currently use the Edexcel GCSE Music specification, where students complete four areas of study and have two areas of coursework.
Paper 1: Performing
Candidates will perform one solo piece and one ensemble piece. This is worth 30% of the total mark for the GCSE.
Paper 2: Composing
Candidates will compose one piece written to a brief, based on one of the areas of study in paper 3. Candidates will also compose a further composition based on a different area of study.
Paper 3: Listening and Appraising
This is a 1 hour 30 minutes written examination where candidates answer questions on all four Areas of Study.
Area of Study 1 Structure in Western classical music 1600-1899
Area of Study 2 Changing directions in Western classical music from 1900
Area of Study 3 Popular music in context
Area of Study 4 Indian raga, African music and fusions
Post 16 study
We currently offer two pathways in the music department at Post-16. Students can opt for either GCE A Level Music or GCE A Level Music Technology, or combine both.
A Level Music
Our current examination board for A Level Music is OCR, where students continue studying performing, composing and listening and appraising from their GCSE specifications, but this course includes the addition of some set works that we study in detail in preparation for written examinations.
A Level Music Technology
We currently use Edexcel as the examination board for AS and A Level Music Technology, where students work on elements of the production, composition and technological side of music in our Music Technology Suite.
